Because we understand the development of young children, we are keenly aware that separation from the family and entrance into a school setting is one of the most important tasks for the young child. We believe the way a child is helped to leave home for the first time will impact upon other first experiences.For that reason we provide a comfortable atmosphere here at the Hollis Hills Jewish Center. We treat each child as an individual and try to meet each one’s needs. We ask that you too do not compare one child’s mode of separation with another’s.

The initial distress felt by many children is typical.We accept the fact that it is human to have sad, lonely, angry and afraid feelings sometimes, as well as to have the socially accepted, good, happy feelings we would like children to have all the time. As children express their feelings and deal with them, they master these emotions and proceed to the tasks of group living, socializing and learning. Children with pronounced separation feelings at the beginning of the school year often make superior adjustments once the separation has been
completed.

Expressions like, “It’s hard to go to school” and “I’ll miss my toys and mommy/daddy” express a desire to talk with teachers and parents. The child needs to hear things like, “mommy/daddy love you and I’ll come to get you each day.” Expressing feelings will help the child settle in and feel at home.

There is much that is new and unfamiliar – the building, the teachers, the children, the routines, even the language. The hardest part is being away from home on a regular, ongoing basis. Daily special times at home, even for a few minutes, are most helpful at this time. Reading or playing together will help reinforce how much you enjoy being together. Let your child know s/he is coming to school because “you’re old enough now”, and that “school is a safe and wonderful place.” Children should see parents and teachers engaged in warm, friendly relations. This will help the child develop a trusting relationship with the staff. It is important to note that not all children who enter a Nursery School setting for the first time will express anxieties. Some children may also go through this process at times other than initial school entry. For instance, some children need the support of a mother/father for a few days after returning to school from a long vacation or illness.

Even children who are returning for a second year will need time to adjust to their re-entry to a new class, new teachers, and many new friends. Parents can remind children of their former feelings and how they were successful in handling them.

You will be notified of an “Adjustment Schedule” before the start of the school year.Most children do very well with our gradual approach. We will also accommodate children (and moms) with individual needs.

The most important goal of our Early Childhood curriculum is to help children become enthusiastic learners.This means encouraging children to be active and creative explorers who are not afraid to
try out their ideas and to think their own thoughts.Our goal is to help children become independent, self-confident,inquisitive learners.We’re teaching them HOW to learn, not just in pre-school, but all through their lives.We’re allowing them to learn at their own pace and in the ways that are best for them. We’re giving them good habits and attitudes, particularly a positive sense of themselves, which will make a difference throughout their lives.

Children work hard at their projects and achieve a sense of accomplishment. Our Focus is on the act of doing: the process is stressed, not the finished product. Please be aware of this attitude in relation to your child’s work.

Contact with staff will facilitate sharing of information and/or any concerns.Parent concerns need to be discussed first with the class teacher at a
mutually convenient time.If an issue is not resolved, the Director should be
consulted.We are here to assist in providing a comfortable environment for the children and the parents.

Newsletters keep the communicative link vital between school and home.

Everything occurring in your child’s life has an effect on his/her behavior.If anything out-of-the-ordinary is happening in your family, please let
us know so that we can help your child adjust to the new situation.

Parent-Teacher conferences will be held twice each year.Since
we do not believe in discussing your child’s progress in front of him/her or
other parents, we truly discourage “doorway” conferences.If you have any questions at any time, just make a mutually convenient
appointment to speak to the teacher or call the director.

Please dress your child in comfortable, washable clothes that s/he can manage
independently.Bring a complete set of clothing, each piece labeled, that can be left in school, in a
small bag or shoe box, plus a plastic smock and wipes.Jackets, sweaters and coats worn to school should have loops for hanging
and should be labeled.

Since most children are eager to come to school, parents often feel that getting here
early will give them a “head start”.However, the effect is usually the reverse.Teachers are busy setting up the rooms and cannot give the
child the attention s/he needs and deserves.When children come at the proper time, teachers are ready to greet them
and start them on an activity.

Please be on time at dismissal.Children get very upset when their pick-up person isn’t visible.If your child is leaving school early, and no prior
arrangements have been made, please call the Director to relay the message so
your child will be ready.When the person picking up your child is someone we do not know, a written note
from you plus ID is mandatory.Even if the pick-up person is someone we do know, but not the person the child
generally goes home with, a signed note to the teacher is required.

Since our Nursery School is licensed by the New York City Department of Health, your child requires a complete physical examination within ninety (90) days prior to admission to our program.Completed health forms must be brought to school and given to the Director on opening day.ALL SCREENINGS (LEAD, PPD/MANTOUX, HEMATOCRIT OR HEMOGLOBIN, DENTAL, HEARING AND VISION) MUST BECOMPLETED BY THIS TIME.

It is very important to inform the Center immediately when your child is ill or not feeling well.This helps us plan for the health and safety of the other children in the Center. If your child was ill the night before but is well enough to attend in the morning, tell the staff how your child was feeling. We expect that you will contact your child’s physician when your child is sick enough to stay out of school. Please keep your child at home until FULLY recovered. If the doctor makes any specific diagnosis or prescribes a medication, please inform us.We are NOT permitted to give your child any medication.

If your child exhibits any of the symptoms outlined below, we ask that you keep your child home.

IF YOUR CHILD DEVELOPS ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS, WE WILL CALL YOU AND ASK YOU TO TAKE YOUR CHILD OUT OF SCHOOL.

We strongly suggest that you consider alternative plans for the care of your child now, BEFORE S/HE BECOMES ILL.

REMEMBER:

KEEP ALL YOUR EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS AT THE CENTER UP TO DATE.

This enables us to reach you in case of an emergency. If your child comes to school sick or becomes ill in school, you will be called to take your child home.Please make sure that your EMERGENCY PERSON IS AVAILABLE.

In past years, we have had outbreaks of head lice in our Center. While having head lice is not a serious medical problem (nor is it any indication of “dirt or neglect”), it can be uncomfortable and difficult to get rid of.

According to the Department of Health, Communicable Disease Section, if your child has lice s/he MUST be out of class 24 hours after treatment. Please inform us that you are keeping your child home for that day and that the proper treatment has been administered (not preventive treatment, but the actual shampooing with NIX or KWELL).

For all children in our full day program, resting mats are supplied. To comply with the Department of Health regulations which require a covering on these mats, we request two labeled fitted crib sheets and a small lightweight blanket.

We welcome celebrations in school.Please make arrangements with your child’s teacher. Send cupcakes, a nutritious snack or whatever special treat your child likes; kosher food and enough for the whole group.If it is possible for you to arrange, you are welcome to attend.Please do not send “goodie or junk bags” to school. We can only distribute birthday party invitations if every child in the class is invited to a party outside school.

Shabbat is a very special time in our school.Every Friday the designated Abba and Ima are asked to provide challah rolls and a kosher snack.

The children sing Shabbat songs and learn some simple Hebrew words. They light candles and say the Blessings over the candles, “wine” and challah in Hebrew.They read stories and enjoy special music and dancing.

As part of our curriculum, we encourage the children to be charitable toward others by putting out a Tzedakah box each Friday.Each class collects Tzedakah. The children are taught the meaning of the word and are involved in deciding how the money should be distributed.

Children will celebrate Jewish and national holidays with crafts, songs, stories, plays, cooking activities and so much more.Each holiday becomes a special part of the child’s life. There are many opportunities for parents to participate in holiday events as well.

Severe or hazardous weather conditions may necessitate the cancellation of school. We will have a phone chain to confirm any closings. Should extreme weather conditions cause us to close school earlier than usual, the following procedures will be followed: a)All parents will be called and told about the early closing.b) All children whose parents can come to get them, or whose parents can send someone to get them, will be sent home. c) A member of our teaching staff who lives locally will supervise the remaining children until such time as someone can come to pick them up.

Of course, it’s preferable that a three year old child is toilet trained when trained when the begins school. However, if your child is “on the verge” we will work with you.
We also have many tried and true suggestions to make it easier for all of you.

Toys

We offer a great variety of play things in school, including dolls, trucks, books and puzzles.In order to avoid loss, breakage or sharing problems, children should be discouraged from bringing toys from home.Please, no guns or superheroes!!

We appreciate donations of the following for craft projects and playtime: feathers, ribbons, felt, corks, dress-up clothes, jewelry, shells, spools and trays. We can use books, toys and puzzles (in good condition) that your child no longer uses.

Our Nursery School curriculum includes several trips each year at no additional cost for the students.We feel that trips give your child the opportunity to participate in a unique hands-on experience.The social, educational and enjoyable aspects of our trips are invaluable. Trips will be planned during the year as they become available. A signed trip slip must be returned for every trip your child attends.